Method and apparatus for testing for color vision loss

Abstract

A method and apparatus for administering eye tests to identify cone sensitivity loss associated with hereditary and acquired color vision loss which may be used for early detection, progress, treatment, and monitoring of eye conditions, traumatic brain injury, optic neuritis, systemic and neurological diseases including Glaucoma, Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease and retinal toxicity. Particularly, the method and apparatus disclosed uses a Cone Contrast Test (CCT) to test individuals for hereditary or acquired color vision loss associated with (a) early signs of potential disease / damage / toxicity in an effort to (i) provide opportunity for treatment, and (ii) prevent permanent eye damage, and (b) monitor progress and treatment of such disease / damage / toxicity. The system comprises a computer system including an input device and a display device, and the accuracy and repeatability of the testing is provided by repeated calibration using a colormeter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent is a Continuation of patent application Ser. No. 13 / 887,272, filed May 3, 2013 and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 642,378, filed May 3, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 642,292, filed May 3, 2012 which applications are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]This invention was made in the performance of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Department of the Air Force. The Government of the United States has certain rights to use the invention.REFERENCE TO COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX[0003]The present application includes the following computer program listing appendix. The computer program listing appendix is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The appendix contains an ASCII text file of the computer program as follows:AdminWindow.txt15.6KBC...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The invention comprises a method and apparatus for screening and monitoring progress and treatment of systemic and neurological eye diseases. The method and apparatus include a Cone Contrast Test (CCT) which measures and scores color perception by cone type and assigns a score by cone type. The method and apparatus further include a comparison of such scores to a base line. Using CCT for the screening of potential disease / toxicity is an efficient, fast and low-cost procedure.

[0028]The duration between each calibration is established during set-up and may be adjusted based on clinic testing policy and procedure. The calibration time frame is pre-set for every seven days, but may be set according to individual testing policy and preference. Preferably, calibration automatically occurs at a predetermined interval of time. The automation alleviates the fear by some that the calibration may be skipped and test results may be rendered invalid.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, a low cost calibration system is needed due to inconsistent calibration over time.

With standard “off-the-shelf” colormeters, interference from other software, including software produced by Microsoft Corporation, override calibration values and render the test invalid.

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